Terrell sentenced for vehicular homicide in death of Sean Markham

SHALIMAR — Christopher Terrell pleaded guilty Thursday to vehicular homicide in the death of Sean Markham last November.

Terrell, 40, was sentenced to 18 years in prison, according to the state attorney’s office.

Early on Nov. 3, 2011, Terrell was chasing Markham down U.S. Highway 98 and crashed into the back of his car in front of the Fort Walton Beach City Hall. Markham, 29, later died from injuries he suffered in the wreck.

Terrell was under a court order to stay away from Taryn Bryson after a domestic violence incident in October. Before the wreck, he went to Helen Back restaurant on Okaloosa Island and stood by her car waiting for her, the state attorney’s office reported.

Bryson arrived at Helen Back with Markham and saw Terrell. She ducked into Markham’s car to hide.

Terrell yelled at Markham and approached the car. Markham sped off to try to get away, but Terrell followed in his pickup truck, according to police reports.

Terrell chased Markham over Brooks Bridge and into downtown Fort Walton Beach at speeds reaching 98 mph, according to the state attorney’s office.

Both vehicles ran a red light at the Beal Parkway intersection and narrowly missed hitting a pedestrian, according to witnesses’ statements to police.

Markham came upon slower traffic in front of the City Hall and slowed down. Terrell did not.

He crashed into the back of Markham’s car, which propelled the car into two trees and then sent it rolling back into westbound traffic.

Markham was wearing a seat belt, but a major failure to the driver’s side of the car severed the belt, according to police. He was thrown out and onto the median. The car was crushed.

Bryson crawled from the mangled car with only minor injuries.

Terrell was not hurt.

Markham died Nov. 16, 2011, at a hospital in Pensacola.

Terrell was arrested in January after showing up at Bryson’s home appearing to be on drugs and ranting about chasing off her boyfriend. She told police he was out of breath and had a stick in his hand.

Terrell will serve 15 years for Markham’s death, the maximum penalty for vehicular homicide, followed by three years for aggravated stalking of Bryson.

Prosecutor Angela Mason said she was pleased with the outcome.

“Mr. Markham truly was an innocent victim in this situation,” she said. “The dispute between the defendant and Ms. Bryson really had nothing to do with Sean, and yet he found himself in the middle of it.

“It’s such a terrible loss for his family, as it is with any of my victims. It was important to see that he (Terrell) serves the maximum for that,” Mason said.